Anax Metals has secured final approval for the stage two mining proposal for the Whim Creek copper-zinc project located 120km south-west of Port Hedland in the central Pilbara Region of Western Australia (WA).

The approval has been issued by the WA Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety.

The Whim Creek copper-zinc project includes the Whim Creek, Mons Cupri, Salt Creek and Evelyn deposits.

Anax managing director Geoff Laing said: “Anax is delighted to have received the final regulatory approvals required to realise our ambitions towards making Whim Creek a first-mover base metals producer in the Pilbara region. We are proud to have delivered on key milestones for the development of the Whim Creek asset and will continue to focus on financing, project expansion and regional consolidation.

“Completion of permitting for development and operations is a very significant step in de-risking our business and adding value.”

The approval of the stage two mining proposal allows Anax to start mining from the Whim Creek Pit and process ore from the Mons Cupri and Whim Creek pits through a conventional flotation processing plant (concentrator).

The concentrator is designed to produce separate copper, lead and zinc concentrates.

Under the mining proposal, Anax will also build a three-cell in-pit tailings storage facility.

The company said that environmental studies are under way to support regulatory approvals for the Evelyn and Salt Creek deposits. Further environmental studies are planned for the second half of this year.